Arts Ahead: What's New in London 14 – 20 December

By Zoe Craig Last edited 159 months ago
Arts Ahead: What's New in London 14 – 20 December

Here's our tips for what's hot and what's new in London this week

We have to start with dance this week, if only to give you this great picture from the Royal Ballet. From tonight at the Royal Opera House, you can see a wonderful double bill of dance: Peter and the Wolf alongside the Tales of Beatrix Potter.

For children's shows and pantos this week, you can choose from George's Marvellous Medicine at the Bloomsbury Theatre from tonight; Potted Panto with CBBC stars Dan and Jeff at the Vaudeville also from tonight; Carol Ann Duffy's Beasts and Beauties opens at the Hampstead Theatre tomorrow; Peter Pan starring the Hoff (and later Jerry Springer) starts at the New Wimbledon Theatre from Thursday; and a grotesque Hansel And Gretel by Kneehigh at the Queen Elizabeth Hall also from Thursday. And there's a Hamlet for kids at the Roundhouse from Friday.

Other theatre shows opening include A Flea in Her Ear at the Old Vic from tonight and The RSC's The Winter's Tale at the Roundhouse from Thursday.

In London's more arty corners, you can see Norman Rockwell's America at the Dulwich Picture Gallery from tomorrow; Simon Starling: Never The Same River (Possible Futures, Possible Pasts) at the Camden Arts Centre from Thursday; and London under Siege: Churchill and the Anarchists, 1911 at the Museum of London Docklands, an exhibition marking the centenary of the Siege of Sidney Street.

Last Chance To See: London Shows Closing

This Saturday is your last chance to see Barbra and Frank: The Concert That Never Was at the New Players Theatre, Joseph K at the Gate Theatre, and Jean Cocteau's Les Parents Terribles at the Trafalgar Studios. It's also your last chance to see Wilton's Vintage Christmas: a traditional music-hall style variety show taking the venue back to its Victorian roots, which sounds gorgeous.

Sunday is the last day of the Barbican's Aspects of Japanese Cinema season. Enjoy. And if we've missed anything you'd like to see recommended here, let us know in the comments below.

Image shows Royal Ballet: Tales of Beatrix Potter. Photo by Johan Persson

Last Updated 14 December 2010